Restaurant Week WIAW

Instead of focusing on the fact that my breakfast looks disgusting and my lunch looks like something a third grader would find in their lunchbox, let’s focus on the progression to a beautiful dinner courtesy of Chef Brian Volmrich from Braddock’s Pittsburgh.

My stomach isn’t used to super rich food and I wanted something simple after our decadent meal at Elements. PB&Co Cinnamon Raisin peanut butter and sliced banana on light wheat toast…. and the rest of the banana on the side.

Veggies? Check.

Sweet, warm tea:

Dinner, 7 pm:

Chef Brian’s Pittsburgh Small Plate Sampler: Strip District Kielbasa, Braised Short Rib Pierogie (with delicious artichoke spread underneath), and homemade potato gnocchi with lobster. Of course I only sampled the gnocchi, but the ladies at our table raved about all of the dishes (my meating-eating Polish husband would have loved them too!).

Although the pre-fixe restaurant week menu sounded delicious, I opted out and got the beet and goat cheese salad with a crabcake on the side. See the top left hand side of the plate? Warm, fried goat cheese. Oh my heavens, so amazing. I’ve had this salad combination at many restaurants but I loved the thin slices of beets and pistacios sprinkled on the salad.

Chef Brian came and out and introduced himself after the meal. He told us about various challenges he’s faced – like having two vegetarians show up for Thanksgiving dinner. He’s also accomodated vegans, making a 5 course special meal. Next time I’ll call in advance and see what he has up his sleeve!

First of all, I just had a breakfast very similar to yours. Secondly, I am like Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally when I go to restaurants. I am not shy! Luckily, my husband is very patient. Have a great day!

Goat cheese and beets are a match made in heaven. Add pistachios? Bliss!!!

I don’t have any special dietary needs, per se, but I’m not afraid to ask for fish cooked dry or steamed veggies rather than having them coated in oil and butter. Most places are very willing to accommodate those requests!

I am pretty open to trying anything, but I am not afraid to ask for changes! I may order broccoli instead of fries, or a sauce on the side. My biggest pet peeve? Ordering a salad with the dressing on the side, but when I get it, there’s a half cup of dressing sm

I am pretty open to trying anything, but I am not afraid to ask for changes! I may order broccoli instead of fries, or a sauce on the side. My biggest pet peeve? Ordering a salad with the dressing on the side, but when I get it, there’s a half cup of dressing smothered on top! If I ordered a salad, I am looking to eat light. If I wasn’t, I would have ordered the spinach artichoke dip instead! 🙂

I will ask the restaurant to do simple things, like dressing on the side, etc. But I need to get better at being more assertive because sometimes I get my meal and it is covered in oil or I get fries instead of the side salad I really wanted.

i AM that person that changes everything on the dish. i know it’s super annoying, but if i’m going to pay for a meal, i want to enjoy it. plus, the restaurant is actually saving money because i never want the cheese, nuts, cream sauce, etc. think of all the money they save in salad dressing! 🙂